Galvanic electric plaster



(No Model.)

J.' W. sH-ULTS. GALVANIG ELECTRI PLASTER.

No.46'9,f797. Patented Mar. 1, 1892.

um Pgus cul, Hoyo-mgm., Hammam n. n.

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PATENT JOHN V.,SHUL TS, OF lVIOHlTA, KANSAS.

GALVANIC ELECTRIC PITASTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 469,797, dated March 1, 1892.

Application tiled June 29, 1891. Serial No. 397,759. (No model.)

cation, reference being had therein tothe ac companying drawings and the letters of reference thereon, forminga part of this specitication, in which- Figure l is a face plan of the plaster and of the contact-buttons thereof; Fig. 2, a back plan of the same having a portion of the leather backing thereof rolled back to more clearly show the union of parts. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of one end portion of the plaster; Fig. 1i, a cross-section of one of the contact-buttons thereof. Figs. 5 and 6' are detailed plans of the metallic elements of the plaster before application to the plaster; and Fig. 7 is a back view of a person having a plaster-applied as it would appear when in use.

This invention relates to certain improvements in galvanic electric adhesive plasters for therapeutical purposes; and it consists of cells incorporated in the plaster compound of potential arrangement, the elements of said cells being when the plaster is applied to a person in contact with the body, and of metallic contact-buttons connected by means of -iiexible conductors with the plaster-cells and provided with adhesive supporters adapting them to be held in contact with the body at such places as may be desired, which improvements are more fully set forth and explained inthe following specification, and pointed ont in the claims.

The specific purpose of this invention is to exert a benign influence in equalizing the circulation of blood, in producing natural sleep and activity, and the like, to the wearer of the plaster byutilizing the body as a portion of the electric circuit between the contact points or buttons of the plaster, causing the generated current of electricity to pass through the body.

Referring to the drawings, L represents a piece of linen cut to the desired form of the plaster.

C represents the plaster compound spread on the linen, which compound lnay be of any of the known ingredients used for such purpose.

Incorporated in the plaster compound are two cells, one at each end portion of the plaster, each consisting of zinc and copper elements, being shown, respectively, at B and D, having surfaces on Va plane with that of the plaster compound, one of which cells is made witha circular body of zinc D as one element, surrounded at a little distance by a copper ring B as a second element, as shown at the left in Fig. l, the opposite cell being made with a circular body of copper B, surrounded at a little distance by a zinc ring D, as a second element, which elements are respectively provided with bendable points, as shown at g and g', which when they are applied to the plaster penetrate the linen and clinch upon the back thereof, as shown.to secure the elements into position. l

W represents a conducting-wire arranged incorporated in the plaster compound and connecting the outer elements of the two opposite cells, as shown in Fig. 1.

R and R represent electric conductors, preferably of a cord having as a part of its construction one or more metallic strands, which conductors are respectively connected at one end to the center elements of said cells by means of the prongs Z of said elements, which prongs are bent so as to pierce the linen L when applying4 the elements. The conductor ends are then laid upon the linen back between the prongs, after which the prongs are bent down upon the conductors, clamping them into position, (see Figs. 2, 3, and 5,) and in making such connections the metallic portions of the conductors or cords are laid in contact with said prongs.

E and E'represent the contact-buttons and are composed, respectively, of a backing P of some suitable material of metallic buttons F backed against the central portion of said backing, with the shank c extending through said backing, and of a ring of some suitable adhesive material fixed to said backing about the button, which backing and ring form a holder for the button, adapting the button to be held in contact with the body at any desired place by the adhesion of said adhesive ring acting as an electrode, and the outer ends of the conductors RR are respectively connected with the shanks of said buttons, as shown, thus causing the but-tons to form the terminal of said conductors.

A represents a piece of leather cut to the size and form of the linen L, and is secured upon the linen back by .means of some suitable adhesive material or otherwise and covers from View the elements, securing-points, and conduct-or lconnections and presents a neat finish to the plaster back. However, this leather back may be omitted, if desired, and, further, the leather may be used as a substitute for the linen with no other backing.

`In use the plaster is applied to a person in the usual manner, (see Fig. 7,) which brings the cells in direct contact with the body, Where they are subjected to the exudations out of the cutis, which eXudations contain chloride of sodium, which, being of alkaline reaction, when subjected to the elements of the cells generate an electric current. The buttous E E are applied to the body by means of their adhesive supporters in such manner as to bring the affected parts of the body in line with the electric circuit and form a part of said circuit, and as the electric current is generated at the cells it is conducted by the conductors and buttons and the body about said circuit, causing said current to pass through the body, utilizing the connecting conductoravire w of the plaster as a conducting medium through the plaster.

lt is the intention in this invention that the cells shall be of such proportions as to generate but a faint current of electricity.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a galvanic adhesive plaster for therapeutical purposes, consisting of a plaster compound spread upon a linen or other suitable backing, the opposite cells comprising .the reversely-arranged elements incorporated in the plaster compound and having surfaces on a plane with that of said compound, the conductor-` wire incorporated in said plaster arranged connecting said cells, the conductor connecting said cells and extending oppositely from the plaster, and the contact-buttons forming the terminal of said extending conductors, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The herein-described plaster, consisting of a plaster compound spread upon a linen or other suitable backing, the oppositely-arranged -cells comprising the reversely arranged elements incorporated in the plaster compound and having surfaces on a plane with that of the compound, the conductor- Wire incorporated in said compound and arranged connecting opposite elements of said cells, the oppositely-extendin g conductors arranged connecting opposite elements of the cells to those of said former conductor, and the contact-buttons secured as the terminals of said extending conductors and provided with the adhesive supporters, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. An electric plaster comprising a linen or other suitable backing, a compound spread upon said backing, the metallic elements of an electric battery incorporated in the plaster compound, where they are subjected to the exudations out of the cutis of the body of the wearer, and the opposite electric conductors arranged connected with the poles of said battery and terminating with electrodes adapted to be applied to the body of the wearer, substantially as set forth.

JOHN XV. SIIULIS.l

Witnesses:

N. B; HAGIN, WM. J HUToHINs. 

